The statistics on domestic violence are startling. The problem is not just how regularly domestic violence happens, as frequent as that is, but it’s also the ways in which we have failed so many victims of domestic violence in our country. In addition to abuse, many victims also become more likely to lose their jobs and be evicted from their homes.
It’s in this challenging environment that we should observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month by asking our legislators to do more to protect victims of domestic violence. Before we look at some of the statistics on this issue, it’s important to remember that we don’t even know the full extent to which this problem impacts Americans, due mostly to fact that so many people underreport abuse. That being said, here is what we do know:
Statistics on Domestic Violence Victims
- According the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every three women and one in every four men have been the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
- On average, a person suffers domestic abuse every 20 minutes in the United States.
- Every year, around 10 million people become the victims of domestic abuse.
- The likelihood of a homicide in a domestic violence situation is increased by 500 percent when a gun is present.
- Nearly 20 percent of domestic violence cases involve a weapon.
In Kentucky:
- Between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014, 3,295 victims of domestic violence received shelter in Kentucky programs, according to the NCADV.
- 40 percent of those receiving shelter were children.
- One in 10 of those seeking shelter will be turned away due to lack of resources.
- One out of 9 women in Kentucky have been the victim of forcible rape.
The Impact of Domestic Violence
Sadly, victims of domestic violence suffer a number of consequences that only serve to compound the hardship caused by their abuse.
- Around 10 percent of evictions are domestic violence victims, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.
- One in four housing denials involve victims of domestic violence.
- Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families in the United States, according to the S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reported by the Huffington Post.
- Between 20 and 60 percent of intimate partner abuse victims will lose their jobs because of reasons surrounding their abuse.
- There is a strong correlation between intimate partner abuse and suicide and depression.
Domestic violence is deeply connected to so many other serious problems affecting our country, including poverty, homelessness and unemployment.
What Can We Do?
Talking about domestic violence and raising awareness is the first important step, but it must lead to action.
- In Kentucky, consider making a donation to the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge 2016.
- Find ways to get involved through the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
- Consider a donation to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
- Take part in the National Week of Action.
- Offer assistance to victims of domestic violence and be willing to talk about the problem to those who suffer.
Reducing domestic violence in the United States and in Kentucky will take efforts on part of both our government and its citizens. Whatever courses of action we will take to address the problem, it will all start with a conversation about the challenges facing victims. That’s why Domestic Violence Awareness Month is so important.
If you (or a loved one) have been arrested in Kentucky or in the Lexington area in particular, call my office at (859) 685-1055 for a free consultation. Our lawyers specialize in helping defendants fight back on assault charges, misdemeanors, domestic violence, property crimes, drug charges and more, call today.